Winter may be beautiful, but it can be brutal on your skin.  

As temperatures drop, your skin’s barrier — its first line of defense — weakens. When that happens, moisture escapes, sensitivity increases, and fine lines appear more pronounced.

That’s why this season calls for a gentler, more nourishing approach to cleansing.

Why Oil Cleansing Belongs in Your Winter Skincare Routine

Cleansing oils do more than dissolve makeup and impurities — they restore harmony to the skin’s lipid barrier. Unlike foaming cleansers that leave skin tight, an oil cleanser respects your skin’s natural ecosystem.

Here’s how an oil-based cleanse transforms winter skin:

1. Restores the Lipid Barrier

In cold, dry air, skin struggles to maintain its own oils. A botanical oil cleanser replenishes essential lipids, preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and restoring softness and resilience.

2. Dissolves Impurities Without Stripping

“Like dissolves like.” The natural oils in a cleanser bind to excess sebum, makeup, and pollutants — gently lifting them away without disrupting moisture balance.

3. Soothes and Rebalances Winter-Stressed Skin

Winter often brings redness and reactivity. The Phytonutrient Oil Cleanser blends alpine adaptogens and restorative botanicals such as Calendula, Black Currant, and Moringa to calm irritation while deeply conditioning the skin barrier.

4. Prepares Skin for Optimal Absorption

A clean, hydrated surface allows serums and essences to penetrate more effectively. Oil cleansing sets the stage for deeper nourishment — especially when followed by Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence and The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum.

Your Winter Cleansing Ritual

Give your skin a moment of alpine calm each evening with this simple ritual:

Step 1: Melt Away the Day

Warm 3–5 pumps of the Phytonutrient Oil Cleanser between your palms.
Massage gently over dry skin in circular motions, breathing in the subtle notes of alpine botanicals. 

Step 2: Emulsify and Rinse

Add a few drops of warm water to transform the oil into a light, milky emulsion.
Rinse thoroughly or remove with a soft, damp cloth — your skin should feel supple, not squeaky.

Step 3: Treat with a Mist

Spritz with Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist to pre-treat extra dry skin and prep for Aspen Dew.

Step 4: Hydrate and Fortify

Follow with Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence to deeply hydrate, then seal it all in with The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or The Purist Delicate Skin Serum for lasting nourishment.

Key Botanicals to Nourish Winter Skin

Every drop of this golden oil is designed to cleanse and condition in one step, marrying efficacy with alpine purity.

• Marula: Restores and comforts compromised, wind-chapped skin.
• Alpine Black Currant: Omega-rich lipids nourish and strengthen the barrier.
• Moringa: A vitamin-packed botanical that purifies and softens.
• Mountain Calendula: Calms reactive winter skin while easing visible redness.

The result: a complexion that feels balanced, luminous, and quietly renewed — even when the world outside is frozen.

The Alpine Approach to Winter Radiance

Winter doesn’t have to dry your skin out.
By replenishing as you melt away the days impurities — you create the foundation for every other step in your skincare ritual.

The Phytonutrient Oil Cleanser is more than a cleanser; it’s an invitation to slow down, restore, and reconnect with your skin’s natural rhythm.

What are senescent cells? (the "Zombie" analogy)

The double-edged nature of “Zombie Cells”

The skin’s micro-landscape

• The visible decline of collagen and elastin as certain enzymes are influenced.
• Barrier function may feel weakened, increasing the sensation of dryness and moisture loss.
• The appearance of quiet inflammation may rise, contributing to visible redness and sensitivity.

Can we support skin’s natural glow?

TellurideGlow’s botanical approach to skin radiance

1. Phytonutrient Oil Cleanser

• Moringa and Tamanu oils are rich in natural antioxidants that help skin maintain a healthy look against environmental stressors.
• Calendula, Blue Tansy, and Chamomile extracts contribute to a sense of comfort and balance on the skin's surface.
• Blackcurrant Seed Oil helps keep the surface soft and supple.

2. Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist

• Aloe Vera and Rose Water deliver weightless hydration.
• Aspen Bark and Sea Fennel extracts support a smooth, refined appearance.
• Neroli and Ylang Ylang lend a delicate, uplifting aromatic experience.

3. Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence

• Dew Bean and Niacinamide are known to promote a more luminous, even-looking tone.
• Edelweiss and Bearberry offer natural antioxidant support for the skin's surface.
• Phytoceramides and Hyaluronic Acid help reinforce moisture retention and plump the look of skin.

4. The Purist Delicate Skin Serum

• Hemp Seed and Jojoba oils mimic the skin’s natural lipids to maintain softness.
• Cloudberry and Rosehip deliver antioxidant vitamins for a healthy-looking complexion.
• Chamomile and Vanilla create a subtly comforting sensory experience.

5. The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum

• Sea Buckthorn, Moringa, and Acai are naturally abundant in vitamins and phytonutrients for a glowing look.
• Edelweiss, Frankincense, and Geranium contribute to a radiant, revitalized appearance.
• Arnica and Sweet Orange lend a sense of freshness and vitality.

A daily botanical infusion to support a healthy-looking glow.

The alpine approach

A more compassionate view of aging

Final thought

A sensitive skin care routine

Caring for sensitive skin can seem formidable. Potential irritants found in formulations can quickly cause delicate skin types to become reactive, so it pays to be discerning when curating the perfect skincare ritual.

We have put together the ultimate calming skincare ritual.

Let’s talk about sensitive skin

Our largest organ, the skin, protects us from environmental elements like UV rays, keeps out impurities, and helps regulate body temperature. The skin is an important part of our natural defense system, so it’s not surprising that it’s highly receptive to external and internal stressors.

Our body gives us signs when it’s not content with the status quo; an irritated, unsettled epidermis is a not-so-subtle message from our skin.

Pollutants, hormonal fluctuations, heat, environmental assault, allergens, and certain foods can all spark visible reactivity. Unfortunately, this response often leads to surface discomfort and aggravated skin.

In addition, psychological stress can heighten sensitive skin concerns, from hormonal breakouts to visible irritation. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and sets off processes that contribute to imbalance at the skin’s surface. These biological changes may disrupt the acid mantle, leaving skin more vulnerable and reactive.

An altered skin or gut microbiome can also tip normal skin into a delicate state. Because these systems are linked, a disruption in balance may contribute to heightened sensitivity.

Those with inherited sensitive skin may also be prone to redness and flushing. A sensitized skin is triggered by environmental factors, regardless of genetic predisposition.

Sensitive and sensitized skin has become increasingly common in our modern world. Our busy lifestyles and daily stress may be contributing factors. Identifying triggers, creating a nurturing skincare routine, and fortifying the skin barrier is the best way forward for compromised skin types.

Identify your sensitive skin triggers

When creating a routine for sensitive skin, the first step is to pinpoint potential irritants. Triggers can be different for everyone. Observing and removing any lifestyle or external stimuli such as certain foods, long hot showers, or aggravating ingredients can help calm reactive skin.

Alcohol and caffeine can encourage flushing, leading to surface redness. In addition, if you’re already prone to flare-ups, alcohol may intensify them. Heat also increases surface sensitivity. Hot water can create disruptions to the acid mantle, leaving the skin more vulnerable. Therefore, long hot showers should be avoided when caring for sensitive skin.

A high glycaemic diet can contribute to imbalance, sometimes showing up as visible skin changes. Food allergens may also trigger irritation.

Sensitizing ingredients in skincare can negatively alter the epidermal acid mantle by affecting cell alignment and increasing the likelihood of redness. In addition, irritating substances are processed by the skin’s defense cells, setting off visible surface reactions. Synthetic fragrance and parabens are common sensitive skin culprits.

Address an impaired barrier

Strengthening the skin’s acid mantle is essential when caring for sensitive skin. An impaired barrier may activate the skin’s defenses, resulting in the release of stress signals that show up as redness, irritation, or accelerated signs of aging.

Pure cold-pressed plant oils provide a protective veil and restore harmony for the skin. Sea buckthorn, jojoba, and hemp seed oils are rich in essential lipids, fatty acids, and phytonutrients to fortify the acid mantle.

These plant lipids also support the skin’s natural renewal process and help prevent moisture loss for a smooth, supple complexion. They act as natural soothers and are perfect for comforting sensitive skin.

We have combined these very plant oils with other organic whole-plant botanicals such as antioxidant-rich pomegranate and rosehip seed oil to create The Purist Delicate Skin Serum. This skin-strengthening serum is the perfect addition to your routine for sensitive skin.

Hydrate the skin

Hydrating ingredients are essential for quenching dull and lackluster skin or those exposed to environmental assault. Environmental factors may lead to an impaired barrier, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and sensitivity. Caring for sensitive skin includes replenishing lost moisture alongside fortifying the acid mantle to create balance for depleted skin.

Skincare formulations containing hydrophilic ingredients offer crucial protection from accelerated surface damage and enhanced sensitivity.

Some prime hydrating candidates are micro-molecular hyaluronic acid, tremella polysaccharides, and phospholipids from shiitake and chamomile. These skin superheroes elevate precious moisture levels, plump the skin, and visibly smooth fine lines.

The Purist Delicate Skin Serum and the Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence are loaded with hydrating ingredients and high-altitude botanicals for luminous skin. The Purist Delicate Skin Serum is an antioxidant-packed nectar designed to fortify the skin barrier, while Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence hydrates, revitalizes, and gently brightens sensitive skin.

Seek out ultimate skin calmers

Look for skincare ingredients that soothe and pacify easily irritated skin.

• Cloudberry seed oil acts as a natural comforter. It is also rich in protective nutrients like vitamin E. This precious oil offers skin barrier support through better alignment of epidermal cells, making this plant lipid a wonderful choice for sensitive skin.
  
  
• Chamomile is a herbaceous bloom known for its calming ability. It has been used for centuries in traditional practices for its antioxidant and soothing qualities.
  
  
• Arnica Montana flowers are described as nurturing and supportive, helping skin look more even and resilient.
  
  
• Shavegrass (horsetail) is a potent alpine plant high in beneficial phytonutrients. Its comforting properties make it a perfect candidate for sensitive skin. It’s rich in flavonoids such as isoquercitrin, which helps to firm the appearance of sagging skin.
  
  
• Vitamin E is a soothing antioxidant and a time-honored nutrient that supports resilience. It also naturally preserves botanical oils, eliminating the need for parabens in conscientious skincare formulations.
  
  

• Hemp seed oil is naturally abundant in essential fatty acids that replenish the skin’s surface and help maintain balance. Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, it supports a supple complexion and reinforces barrier strength.

• Aloe Vera not only drenches the skin in moisture but also provides refreshing comfort and nurtures a renewed appearance.

Gentle exfoliation

Although not recommended for highly aggravated skin, gentle exfoliation is beneficial for most complexions.

The Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence contains aspen bark, a plant-based exfoliator and brightening ingredient. This plant extract is a wonderful skin smoother and refresher for sensitive skin.

A thoughtful routine

Avoid key skin aggravators when curating your sensitive skin ritual. TellurideGlow products are vegan and cruelty-free. They’re free of synthetic colorants, artificial fragrances, and parabens — crafted for the well-being of your skin and the alpine landscapes that inspire us.

In Telluride’s alpine landscape, seasonal shifts can be dramatic — and our skin often mirrors that turbulence. One ingredient we return to again and again for support is hemp seed oil. Gentle yet biologically sophisticated, this golden-green oil offers more than hydration. It helps your skin remember how to restore itself.

What Makes It Special

A rare fatty acid profile

Hemp seed oil contains a nearly perfect ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids — the same building blocks your skin uses to maintain a strong, flexible barrier. These lipids act like mortar between skin cells, helping to seal in moisture and shield against dryness, wind, and environmental stress.

A botanical that speaks uour skin’s language

What sets hemp seed oil apart isn’t just its nutrition — it’s its harmony with your skin’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS). Think of the ECS as your skin’s calm command center — a biological network that helps regulate inflammation, moisture retention, and barrier repair. While hemp seed oil contains only trace levels of cannabinoids, its rich matrix of phytosterols, essential fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds may support the ECS in ways that modern science is just beginning to understand.

A gentle yet potent soother

Because it’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, hemp seed oil is ideal for skin that tends to overreact — whether from dryness, barrier depletion, or hormonal shifts. It soothes without suffocating, supports without overstimulating.

Why we only use it unrefined

Like many of the botanicals we work with, hemp seed oil is delicate. Its beneficial compounds — especially Omega 3 — are easily destroyed by heat or over-processing. That’s why we use only unrefined, cold-pressed hemp seed oil in our formulas. It retains its full nutrient profile, color, and skin-calming integrity.

Find it in: The Purist Delicate Skin Serum

In The Purist Delicate Skin Serum, our essential oil-free serum for sensitive or reactive skin, hemp seed oil plays a central role. Paired with chamomile, rosehip, and cloudberry, it supports skin through transition — whether that’s seasonal change, travel, hormonal shifts, or post-procedure care.

This serum was made for those moments when your skin needs less drama, more support — and a botanical that knows how to listen.

A real question from one of our longtime customers—and a great opportunity to explore how hydration and moisture actually work.

“I’ve used TellurideGlow as my ‘moisture step’ for years. But recently, my daughter said that oils only treat the surface of the skin. She said I also need a moisturizer that penetrates deeper. Is that true?”

It’s a question we hear often, especially as skincare routines get more layered and ingredient-literate. So let’s break it down.

First, a quick distinction

• Hydration = water

• Moisture = oil

Your skin needs both. Water keeps cells plump, supple, and functioning. Oils help seal in that hydration, maintain barrier integrity, and deliver nourishing nutrients.

What oils really do (and don’t)

It’s true that oils form a protective barrier—but not all oils just sit on the surface. High-quality, cold-pressed botanical oils like those in The Purist or The Alpine are rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and fat-soluble vitamins. These molecules do penetrate into the epidermis (the outer layer of skin), supporting elasticity, strengthening the lipid barrier, and helping to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

What they don’t do: deliver water. That’s where hydration comes in.

Where hydration happens (and why it matters)

To truly hydrate the skin, you need water-based actives that absorb into the deeper layers. That’s why we formulated Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence as the essential first step in your ritual.

Aspen Dew delivers:

• Hyaluronic acid for multi-level hydration

• Aloe vera to refresh and replenish

• Niacinamide + bearberry to brighten and support skin tone

• Dew bean + edelweiss for barrier support and resilience

This step floods the skin with hydration, creating the ideal base for your oil serum to follow.

So… do you really need a moisturizer on top?

If you're using Aspen Dew + one of our oil serums, you’re already giving your skin exactly what it needs:

• Hydration (water-based nutrients + humectants)

• Moisture (lipids to seal and protect)

A traditional cream moisturizer isn’t necessary unless you simply prefer the added cushion. Our ritual was designed to be complete in two steps—minimal, potent, and deeply effective.

In Summary

No, you don’t need a cream moisturizer if you're using both Aspen Dew and a TellurideGlow serum. Together, they offer complete hydration and moisture support—without unnecessary filler ingredients or layering confusion.

Your skin stays nourished, resilient, and beautifully balanced.

In the quiet understory of the forest, mushrooms work tirelessly. They recycle nutrients, form vast underground networks, and support the vitality of entire ecosystems. This same intelligence can also support our own resilience—inside and out.

Mushrooms are finally having their moment in skincare and wellness, and for good reason. These fascinating fungi are dense with bioactive compounds that nurture the skin barrier, neutralize oxidative stress, and modulate inflammation. Whether consumed or applied topically, mushrooms hold a unique place in holistic skin health.

Fungal Intelligence: A Brief Science Primer

Mushrooms are neither plant nor animal. They are part of the fungi kingdom, an ancient lineage known for its adaptability. This adaptability comes from unique compounds such as:

• Beta-glucans: Long-chain polysaccharides that hold and deliver moisture, strengthen immunity, and calm inflammation.

• Ergothioneine: A potent antioxidant that protects mitochondria—the energy centers of our cells—from oxidative damage.

• Polyphenols and terpenoids: Phytonutrients that help repair environmental damage and balance the skin’s natural microbiome.

These compounds, evolved to help fungi survive in extreme conditions, work synergistically in our bodies and on our skin.

Mushrooms for Internal Skin Health

When consumed, medicinal mushrooms can help balance the body’s stress response, regulate immunity, and quell chronic inflammation—factors directly tied to how our skin ages and repairs.

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is revered in traditional medicine as the “mushroom of immortality.” Its beta-glucans and triterpenes support immune balance and calm the body’s stress axis (HPA axis), helping reduce stress-induced breakouts and dullness.

• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows on birch trees in extreme cold and is one of the richest natural sources of antioxidants. Its polyphenols and melanin help protect skin against UV-induced oxidative stress.

• Maitake and Shiitake support liver detoxification and glucose balance, both of which play a role in hormonal and inflammatory skin conditions.

When these mushrooms are incorporated into a nutrient-dense diet or high-quality supplements, their systemic effects often show up on the skin as improved clarity, elasticity, and glow.

Mushrooms in Topical Skincare

Beyond internal benefits, mushrooms are extraordinary when applied directly to the skin. Their water-binding polysaccharides deliver deep hydration, while their antioxidants help defend against daily environmental aggressors.

Shiitake Mushroom Extract, featured in The Purist Delicate Skin Serum, offers three key topical benefits:

1. Brightening: Shiitake contains natural kojic acid, which helps even skin tone and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

2. Antioxidant Protection: Ergothioneine and polyphenols neutralize free radicals, reducing the cascade of damage that leads to premature aging.

3. Barrier Support: Beta-glucans help maintain the lipid barrier, improving elasticity and reducing irritation in sensitive or reactive skin.

Other mushroom extracts, such as Tremella (often called “vegan hyaluronic acid”) and Cordyceps, are becoming increasingly popular in advanced formulations for their ability to hydrate and energize skin cells.

The Microbiome Connection

We are learning that mushrooms may help balance the skin’s microbiome—the complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living on the skin’s surface. A well-balanced microbiome protects against irritants and pathogens, maintains proper pH, and supports optimal barrier function.

Compounds like beta-glucans and prebiotic polysaccharides feed beneficial microbes, supporting a healthier skin environment over time.

A Ritual Inspired by Fungal Resilience

In the same way mushrooms quietly repair the forest floor after disturbance, your skin thrives when you nourish its repair processes rather than over-stimulate.

A simple, mushroom-inspired ritual:

• Step 1: Mist skin with Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist to reset pH and prepare the skin.

• Step 2: Layer on Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence to deeply hydrate with hyaluronic acid and phytoceramides.

• Step 3: Seal in moisture and fortify with The Purist Delicate Skin Serum—rich in shiitake mushroom extract and soothing alpine botanicals.

This trio mirrors the forest’s intelligence: it hydrates, strengthens, and protects the barrier so your skin can heal and flourish naturally.

Foraging Inspiration: The Telluride Mushroom Festival

If you’re as enchanted by mushrooms as we are, you might find yourself at the Telluride Mushroom Festival, usually held in mid-August. Part mycology symposium, part culinary celebration, the festival showcases how mushrooms can enrich our lives—from food and medicine to sustainability and art. Learn more about the festival here ➜

Mushrooms remind us that profound transformation often happens quietly, beneath the surface. By supporting the skin’s natural resilience—inside and out—we can age with more vitality and grace.

There is a quiet intelligence at work after sundown. While your conscious mind drifts into rest, your skin enters its most active period of restoration. Governed by circadian rhythms that guide nearly every biological function, nighttime marks the skin's shift from daytime defense to deep repair.

Understanding these nocturnal rhythms can transform how we approach skincare after dark. The goal isn't to complicate your routine — it's to align with your body's innate timing, and offer ingredients when they are most welcomed.

The Skin’s Circadian Rhythm: A Biological Blueprint for Renewal

As light diminishes, skin's internal clocks initiate a cascade of regenerative activity:

• Cellular turnover accelerates. Keratinocytes divide more rapidly at night, helping to repair daily microdamage caused by UV rays and pollution.

• Barrier permeability peaks. This temporary increase enhances the skin’s ability to absorb topical nutrients and supports nighttime moisture retention.

• Blood flow to the dermis rises. With better circulation, oxygen and nutrients are more efficiently delivered to fuel cellular repair.

• Melatonin production increases. Often thought of solely as a sleep hormone, melatonin also functions as an indirect antioxidant in the skin, neutralizing oxidative stress and supporting mitochondrial health.

This nightly surge of activity underscores a profound truth: skin is biologically primed for renewal after dark.

Four Botanicals That Work With Your Skin’s Nocturnal Cycle

TellurideGlow formulas are crafted with this rhythm in mind, incorporating alpine-adapted botanicals and bioavailable actives that complement the skin’s nighttime processes.

• Dew Bean (Vigna Aconitifolia) – Found in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, this plant-based retinol alternative encourages gentle cell turnover without the sensitivity of synthetic retinoids. Ideal for nighttime, when the skin is already working to regenerate.

• Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) – Present in the Alpine Phytonutrient Serum, sea buckthorn oil delivers omega-7, beta-carotene, and tocopherols to nourish stressed skin and support its natural recovery processes during sleep.

• Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) – Used in The Alpine, lavender lends both aromatic calm and skin support. Its linalool content soothes and helps prepare the body for rest, while offering topical antioxidant and conditioning benefits.

• Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) – Found in The Purist Delicate Skin Serum, chamomile contains apigenin, a flavonoid shown to bind to brain receptors that promote relaxation. It also gently comforts the skin, creating a restorative environment for overnight balance.

Amplifying Your Skin’s Nighttime Recovery

Skincare doesn’t end at the jar. Our evening environment and behaviors have a powerful effect on how well the skin performs its nocturnal tasks.

• Avoid blue light before bed. Exposure to screens can suppress melatonin production. Since melatonin also plays a role in skin antioxidant defense, reducing artificial light enhances both sleep and skin health.

• Wear a sleep mask. Even minimal ambient light can interfere with deep sleep, particularly slow-wave sleep (SWS) — the phase when growth hormone (GH) peaks. GH is essential for collagen production and tissue repair.

• Honor consistent sleep cycles. A steady rhythm stabilizes the body’s release of skin-repair hormones like melatonin and GH, and promotes efficient DNA repair of UV-induced damage.

• Create a calming nighttime ritual. Limiting caffeine and establishing a wind-down routine supports deeper sleep stages. Research links slow-wave sleep with reduced cortisol levels and improved skin barrier recovery.

Skin, Rhythm, and the Power of Intentional Rest

In alpine environments, plants survive by adapting to harsh fluctuations in light, temperature, and dryness. Your skin, too, is constantly responding to changes in its internal and external environment.

By syncing your evening care with the skin’s circadian intelligence — not by doing more, but by doing just enough with intention — you nourish not only the surface, but the system beneath.

This is where alpine science meets quiet ritual. And where radiance is restored, one night at a time.

Explore your nighttime ritual with Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum, or The Purist Delicate Skin Serum — and support your skin in its most intelligent state of renewal.

As skin matures, barrier lipids like ceramides and fatty acids decline—leading to dryness, reactivity, and premature aging. Discover how phytoceramides and omega-rich oils from alpine botanicals restore resilience, hydration, and structural integrity, naturally.

We've discussed how pollution damages the skin, and now, you can add pollen to the list of environmental skin assaults. That fine powdery substance emitted from flowers during germination causes more problems than sneezing and itchy eyes.

Data presented by Estée Lauder Companies at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology showed that pollen makes up a significant amount of particulate pollution and has been demonstrated to be damaging to the skin¹.

The bad news is that you can't control the levels of pollen pollution in the air. The good news? You can totally safeguard your skin against them—and natural antioxidants and barrier-strengthening ingredients are a great place to start.

Similar to the radiance-sapping, pigment-producing effects of pollution like car emissions, smoke, chemicals, and UV rays, pollen also has the ability to attack skin cells.

How does pollen damage the skin?

Pollen inhibits collagen production

"Pollen can enter the skin itself through hair follicles," explains Dr. Charlene DeHaven, M.D., Clinical Director at iS Clinical².

One of the major ways it affects the skin is by restricting collagen production—the protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity. Without collagen, skin tends to look slack, deflated, and peppered with fine lines and wrinkles.

What to do? Antioxidants such as vitamin C are effective in shielding against the skin-ravaging effects of pollen. And according to dermatologists, vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. The Edelweiss in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence has twice the free radical scavenging power of brightening Vitamin C!

Recent insights further reinforce this: the inflammatory response initiated by pollen exposure can accelerate collagen degradation over time, contributing to premature aging. Just as oxidative stress from UV light breaks down collagen fibers, environmental allergens like pollen create an inflammatory cascade that harms skin structure. 

A 2023 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology highlights the link between airborne allergens and increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, enzymes that degrade collagen and elastin—key proteins for firm, youthful skin³.

Pollen can lead to an inflammatory response on the skin

Inflammation can present itself as a rash, itchy areas, and redness—and is also a trigger for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

"People with sensitive or sensitized skin are most vulnerable to pollen irritation," says Dr. Meder. "However, anyone with oily or acne-prone skin isn’t necessarily immune. The enlarged pores and inflammation associated with oilier skin types allow the pollen proteins to penetrate into the skin through follicles and open sebaceous glands."

How to stop it:

Meder advises that "irrespective of your skin type or shade, the best advice is to treat skin gently," using products like our The Purist Delicate Skin Serum that fortifies the skin from the direct effects of pollen without aggravating sensitivity.

It’s not just about visible irritation. Pollen can stimulate histamine release in the skin, triggering micro-swelling, redness, and a tight, itchy feeling. For those managing inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis, pollen exposure can tip the scales toward flare-ups. 

A comprehensive review published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers highlights the close connection between airborne allergens and worsening of atopic dermatitis and similar inflammatory conditions⁴.

Pollen may damage the skin barrier

If the skin's barrier function is weakened, the skin tends to become dry, itchy, and irritated.

To counteract the damage, it pays to look out for ingredients that are going to help support skin barrier health. 

The ones that derms rave about? Ceramides, like the phytoceramides in our Aspen Dew Essence. Our skin produces ceramides naturally, but thanks to an onslaught of things like pollution and pollen, the levels take a dip and therefore need replenishing.

How to stop it:

Go for organic moisturizers with a shielding effect, and avoid dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and other occlusive silicones.

 Instead, look for natural oil products with saturated fatty acids, such as jojoba oil, evening primrose, and argan oils found in The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum.

A recent uptick in research has spotlighted how environmental aggressors like pollen create microtears in the skin barrier by increasing oxidative stress. This weakens the lipid matrix that holds skin cells together, causing increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and inflammation.

Maintaining hydration with humectants like hyaluronic acid—also featured in Aspen Dew—and soothing botanicals can help reinforce this natural defense.

A 2024 paper in Frontiers in Immunology supports this, showing that pollen and other airborne irritants directly impair skin barrier integrity through immune activation and barrier disruption⁵.

Climate change and the new pollen landscape

It’s not your imagination—seasonal allergy symptoms and skin flare-ups really are worse than they used to be.

According to recent data, rising global temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels are driving more intense and longer pollen seasons.

That means more exposure and a longer duration of skin stressors throughout the year. A landmark study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms that climate change has significantly lengthened pollen seasons, especially in higher latitudes⁶. This climate-driven “pollen boom” has also introduced previously regional pollen into new ecosystems, challenging immune systems and skin in unexpected ways.

At TellurideGlow, we see this as a call to action to deepen skin’s resilience year-round—not just during spring allergy season.

What you can do today

• Hydrate deeply: Use products with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to calm and plump the skin.
• Support the skin barrier: Seek out ceramides and natural oils rich in fatty acids.
• Fight free radicals: Antioxidant-rich formulas with ingredients like edelweiss, goji berry, and chamomile can neutralize inflammation at the source.
• Minimize triggers: Avoid unnecessary fragrance, alcohols, and synthetic silicones—especially during high-pollen months.
• Mist to shield: Our Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist provides an antioxidant mist that rehydrates and comforts angry skin throughout the day, even over makeup.

Final thoughts

Your skin is not just a surface—it’s a dynamic, intelligent barrier in constant dialogue with the world around you.

And like any barrier, it needs support, especially in the face of modern environmental stressors like airborne pollen.

Luckily, nature has already offered us solutions. With a holistic regimen that embraces botanically-rich, barrier-strengthening products, you can help your skin meet the season with strength, clarity, and a healthy, alpine glow.

Scientific sources & further reading

1. The Estée Lauder Companies. The Estée Lauder Companies Shares New Findings at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting. 20 May 2024, www.elcompanies.com/en/news-and-media/newsroom/press-releases/2024/05-20-2024.
2. DeHaven, Charlene. "Dr. Charlene DeHaven." iS Clinical Education Portal, www.isclinicaledu.com/instructors/charlene-dehaven/.
3. Wu, Michelle, et al. “Matrix Metalloproteinase Activation and Skin Aging Induced by Particulate Matter.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 22, no. 3, 2023, pp. 721–728. doi:10.1111/jocd.15427.
4. Weidinger, Stephan, et al. “Atopic Dermatitis.” Nature Reviews Disease Primers, vol. 4, 2018, article no. 1. www.nature.com/articles/s41572-018-0001-z.
5. Egawa, Gyohei, and Kenji Kabashima. “Barrier Dysfunction in the Skin: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets.” Frontiers in Immunology, vol. 13, 2024, article 1348272. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1348272.
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This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition.

Arnica Montana is a powerful botanical widely used in skincare, herbal medicine, and homeopathic formulations.

Thriving in alpine meadows, this golden-flowered herb creates a stunning sea of blooms in late spring and early summer. If you explore Telluride’s Imogene Basin, you might even spot arnica growing wild.

Packed with over 150 active compounds, arnica is rich in phytonutrients, including sesquiterpene lactones—potent compounds known for their antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

For centuries, North American Indigenous peoples have relied on arnica for its soothing effects on bruises and muscle soreness. European herbalists adopted its use in the 16th century, brewing it into medicinal teas to support healing.

Today, this skin-nourishing extract is a star ingredient in our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum—and for good reason. Keep reading to discover how this alpine flower can transform your complexion.

5 Skin Benefits of Arnica Montana

1. Recovery & Protection

Arnica helps safeguard the skin against collagen and elastin breakdown caused by UVB exposure. By neutralizing oxidative stress, it may support the skin’s natural ability to recover from environmental damage.

2. Revitalizing & Repairing

Rich in fibronectin-stimulating compounds, arnica supports cellular renewal and tissue repair. Fibronectin is a crucial glycoprotein that maintains skin structure, making arnica an ideal ingredient for improving resilience and recovery.

3. Anti-Aging & Rejuvenation

Arnica is packed with flavonoids and phenolic compounds—potent antioxidants that help combat free radical damage. These elements may shield the skin from premature aging, reducing the impact of environmental stressors.

4. Brightening & Even-Toning

Struggling with dullness or dark spots? Arnica may help by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for melanin production. This process can lead to a more radiant, even-toned complexion over time.

5. Calming & Soothing

Arnica is excellent for reducing puffiness, redness, and irritation. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties help soothe stressed skin, making it a fantastic option for those prone to sensitivity.

How to Incorporate Arnica into Your Skincare Routine

Harness the power of this alpine botanical by incorporating it into your daily regimen. Our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum delivers a concentrated dose of arnica extract, helping to restore, protect, and brighten your skin with every use.